feb '26
KHO LIANG IE MID-CENTURY MODERNIST exhibition design
KHO LIANG IE MID-CENTURY MODERNIST
Exhibition — 14 May to 18 Oct 2026
The Stedelijk presents the first major museum retrospective of Kho Liang Ie, who held a central position in Dutch design through his furniture and interior designs from the 1950s to the mid-1970s. With his poetic approach and distinctive choice of materials, he brought a playful touch to strict modernism. He also surrounded himself with a large international network and introduced new designers to the Netherlands.
Kho Liang Ie – Mid-Century Modernist is the first major retrospective of the designer in more than fifty years. In a spatial design by Strijkers Studio, all aspects of Kho Liang Ie’s oeuvre are presented through more than 200 objects and extensive visual material. The exhibition also features the presentation of part of the Schiphol Airport interior, a stand for Artifort, and a reconstruction of an element from his 1971 exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum.
In addition, attention is given to his collaborations with renowned designers and artists such as Pierre Paulin, Geoffrey Harcourt, and Sheila Hicks. His international network and the art collection that emerged partly from it are also highlighted, including works by Ettore Sottsass and Niki de Saint Phalle.
The exhibition Kho Liang Ie – Mid-Century Modernist was curated by Ingeborg de Roode, in collaboration with Eng Bo Kho.
The Stedelijk presents the first major museum retrospective of Kho Liang Ie, who held a central position in Dutch design through his furniture and interior designs from the 1950s to the mid-1970s. With his poetic approach and distinctive choice of materials, he brought a playful touch to strict modernism. He also surrounded himself with a large international network and introduced new designers to the Netherlands.
Kho Liang Ie – Mid-Century Modernist is the first major retrospective of the designer in more than fifty years. In a spatial design by Strijkers Studio, all aspects of Kho Liang Ie’s oeuvre are presented through more than 200 objects and extensive visual material. The exhibition also features the presentation of part of the Schiphol Airport interior, a stand for Artifort, and a reconstruction of an element from his 1971 exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum.
In addition, attention is given to his collaborations with renowned designers and artists such as Pierre Paulin, Geoffrey Harcourt, and Sheila Hicks. His international network and the art collection that emerged partly from it are also highlighted, including works by Ettore Sottsass and Niki de Saint Phalle.
The exhibition Kho Liang Ie – Mid-Century Modernist was curated by Ingeborg de Roode, in collaboration with Eng Bo Kho.
Afbeelding: Kho Liang Ie, interieur Schiphol met door Kho hiervoor ontworpen zitsysteem 720 (prod. Artifort), 1967. Foto: © Jan Versnel / MAI, 1968
Afbeelding: Kho Liang Ie, stand voor Linoleum Krommenie op de vakbeurs Meubelen en woningtextiel in de Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, 1965. Foto: © Jan Versnel / MAI
Afbeelding: Kho Liang Ie, stand voor Linoleum Krommenie op de vakbeurs Meubelen en woningtextiel in de Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, 1965. Foto: © Jan Versnel / MAI
Afbeelding: Visualisatie tentoonstellingsontwerp Strijkers Studio, introductiezaal Kho Liang Ie – Mid-Century Modernist. © Strijkers Studio